Review of Downfall (2004) by Tino R — 09 Oct 2010

One of the finest war movies you'll ever see depicting the final days of Adolf Hitler and the Russian advancement on Berlin. This movie definitely is a must-see because of the degree of realism displayed in it.

Direction, camera and acting are of an unparalleled level and make you, as the viewer, feel as if you are actually in Berlin, 1945, and in the Fuhrer's bunker. It's a movie that allows us to watch the disintegration of the largest empire in modern history, from the inside out.

Beginning after the start of the siege of Berlin, the bulk of the movie takes place in the cramped bunkers below the city, where Hitler and his officers are trapped like rats on a sinking ship, aware of their fate, but not smart enough, not willing enough, or maybe incapable of escaping the fates they created for themselves.

This is a daring, brilliant film with a virtuoso performance by Bruno Ganz as Hitler. The director, Oliver Hirshbiegel, working with a big cast, brings to life the madness of the last days of the monster, as observed by a young and impressionable secretary who witnessed most of the crisis.

It captures the tragic figure of Hitler as everything is caving in on him and his grand plans for victory. We watch a man at the beginning of the film that is still thinking he is in command of the German forces, but his authority has eroded, as it becomes clear to the people under him the war is lost and it will be a matter of time before they are defeated.

The director and his team have to be congratulated for taking us on a voyage to see the last moments of the Third Reich. Moviemaking at it's best.